Packers go cold in blistering heat

Laura Veras Marran

09/21/2003

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.<P>
Maybe a change of scenery would help erase the Packers' (1-2) disheartening 20-13 loss to the previously winless Arizona Cardinals (1-2) in the blistering heat at Sun Devil Stadium Sunday.<p>
Dexter Jackson intercepted a Brett Favre pass in the end zone with two seconds remaining to seal Green Bay's fate and send thousands of visiting Packer fans home disappointed.<P>

Don't blame the heat, said an agitated coach Mike Sherman after the game.

"Absolutely, positively not. It was hot on their side of the field and it was hot on our side of the field. It didn't matter," Sherman said. "When we beat teams in the snow at Lambeau, I don't say we beat them because it was cold."

The Cardinals took the lead for good with 4:59 remaining in the game. Quarterback Jeff Blake hit fullback James Hodgins with a one-yard pass to cap a 68-yard time-consuming drive. The march began with a 28-yard pass interference call against Packer cornerback Al Harris. The pass appeared uncatchable, but after a conference of officials, the flag was enforced.

Blake was red-hot, completing 20-of-31 passes for 273 yards, a touchdown, one pick and no sacks.

Favre answered by leading Green Bay on a 68-yard drive which stalled on two incompletions, including one close play intended for Antonio Freeman. The intercepted pass was intended for Javon Walker in the back of the end zone.

"The game did not come down to that play," Sherman said. "There were other plays we could have made so that we didn't have to win it right then and there."